From a scientific standpoint, Moldavite is classified in the tektite family with a hardness of about 5.5 ( diamond being a ten ). The beautiful green translucent color of Moldavite is produced by the presence of iron in combination with aluminum. It is the only known tektite that has a gemstone clarity which permits it to be cut into faceted stones. Scientific dating of Moldavite places it about 14.8 million years of age and most authorities agree that is extraterrestrial in origin. Moldavite is a rare mineral mined only in several small sites in the Bohemia and Moravia regions of Czech Republic. The Bohemian sites are near the Moldau River . It is from this river that Moldavite gets it's name. Today exquisite examples can be found in many world famous museums including the Smithsonian.
